The fast ferry only operates from around Nov. to May. Your only option is Seaborne Airlines or Cape Air.

Where are you staying? Are you renting cars?

A day trip with Big Beard on his catamaran to snorkel Buck Island and then picnic is always fun! Check out his web site... we have gone out with him three times and never been disappointed.

Hello Neisy

For snorkeling, a trip to Buck Island is a must. I've taken Big Beard and I've taken Captain Heinz (Teroro II). I would take Captain Heinz again - he spends the entire time at Buck Island. Big Beards does include a picnic lunch on another beach but I would rather spend more time out at Buck, when you get there you'll understand. The most important thing is to get there.

Judi of Croix car rental has always been good to me - friendly and fair prices - also very helpful for things to do on island (very good info)

Cheesburgers in Paradise is a pretty good beach type bar and grill on the east side and there are two beach bars on the north side at Cane Bay Beach. Also if any of you want to scuba dive, Cane Bay Beach is the place to go - there is a scuba shop right there (sorry I don't know the name of it), but they can certify you for the day and of course they have all equipment needed. This is the home of the world famous "Wall"

You won't starve on St Croix - Case Place Restaurant was my family's favorite place to eat - fair prices good service & diverse menu - located at Gallows Bay by the Marina

I'm not going to try and direct you to any of the site seeing spots on the island - I'm not a site seer - I don't know where or what they are - I go to St Croix for the water and beaches - they are beautiful

Hope you and your family have a ball on St Croix - We always do

Steve

We are going from April 13-22 staying at Villa Turquesa, Anyone ever stayed there or know anything about it. Shouldn't the ferry be running that time of year. Yes, we will be renting cars.

Thanks again!

Denise

Hello Denise,

The St. Croix - St. Thomas ferry should be running in April. It takes an hour and 15 minutes. If you mean to continue on to St. John by ferry; it should be possible (depends on what the St. Croix ferry schedule is for this season - they don't run all that frequently) but the commuting will take up pretty much your whole day.

Dining experiences on St. Croix. Ahhhh, getting hungry as I think about it. I actually saved the bill amounts from the last couple times I went over to St. Croix so here are my favorites and the bill amounts for 3 people (small bar tabs).

These are casual type places.
Off the Wall ($27.75)
Golden Rail ($42.25)

Also casual,,,
Breezez ($44.25)
Fort Christian Brew Pub ($35)
Mermaid Restaurant (Buccaneer)($51, great breakfast buffet; a bit pricey but we were really hungry and already there)

Great dinner choices...
Tutto Bene ($83)
Bacchus ($120)
Rum Runners ($115)

You can visit the Cruzan Rum Factory. Visit some of the historical sites like Whim Plantation, the Forts, Lawaetz House.

Definitely a trip out to Buck Island.

--Islander

Thanks Islander. Looks like food is going to be reasonable. Do you know anything about a villa called Vista Turquesa. It's located in Judith's Fancy. The man who owns it also owns a clothing store on St.Croix called Quit Storm.

Thanks!

Denise

Hello Denise,

I am not familiar with Vista Turquesa, or villas on St. Croix in general really. Looks gorgeous on their website though. Please post a review when you get back and tell us what it was like. 🙂

--Islander

Any suggestions of where to stay in St. Croix for 3nights early October. Ideally I'm seeking a beach with calm water to swim/sun, great food/drink and quick shopping.
Thanks to all ahead of time

If you have the $$$$$ try the Buccaneer Resort - it has everything on your list

Good luck

Steve

Rates are reasonable for mountain view rooms have you stayed in one???

I have not stayed here, but my daughter stayed in the Doubloons for her honeymoon - she was married there on stx - several of the guests did stay in the ocean view rooms, they had no complaints and enjoyed all of the amenities that come with the room. I have seen the inside of the ocean view and doubloons rooms but not the mountain view, but they all share the same beaches, I sure some rooms are closer to the beach than others. If you don't have a problem with rates I'm sure you will be satisfied with the resort

This time of year you could probably get a free upgrade. I think you'll like the Buccaneer!

JW

For 11 adults, you might also check into deep sea fishing. Some of the boats might be able to take all of you on one boat and others are 6-pack charters and could split you in two groups. I'm thinking fishing tournament here with bragging rights for the boat that brings in the most fish!

Another activity to consider is a Discover SCUBA Diving outing... or if some of you are certified divers, you definitely have to dive the north shore wall and do a night dive at the Frederiksted Pier. If some aren't up for SCUBA, they can snorkel while the others go deeper.

If you like horses, call Cowboy Steve to set up a beach ride. Off the Wall restaurant has his number. I don't have it handy at the moment.

You can rent sea kayaks at Salt River and go exploring. They have one and two person kayaks.

Any golfers among you? There are 3 golf courses on St. Croix. One is very challenging, one is more just for fun with awesome views while you play and one is a simple nine hole par 3 course. This could be another sibling rivalry contest.

You might also want to go on a tour of the Cruzan Rum Factory on a weekday. You get to sample all the various flavors in the tasting room at the end.

If you prefer beer to rum, stop by Ft. Christian Brew Pub along the Christiansted boardwalk for dinner on Monday night. It's "Steak and Ale Night". They will have the ballgame on the tv screens and if you buy a steak or seafood special for dinner, they include all your locally brewed draft beer for free all night. Not bad. Your brothers will love it.

Spend part of your Saturday or Sunday at Sandy Point Beach on the southwest tip of the island. This is a sea turtle nesting beach that is only open to the public on weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM during about half of the year. It gets closed to protect the turtles in late May. It's a gorgeous beach and is where the final scenes of Shawshank Redemption were filmed (although the movie said it was Zihuatanejo). This is a great place to kick back with a book and an ice chest full of your favorite beverage. If you're up for some physical activity, bring along a frisbee or football or just walk along the beach. There are some great sandcastles built there, also... no matter what your age.

There are cultural things you can do if you prefer... from the Whim Museum to the St. George Botanical Gardens, etc. You're probably going to be pretty busy while you are here! You might just want to come back again.

Island hopping is also fun via Seaborne Airlines seaplane. Little pricier than ferry but not sure when you are arriving so ferry may not be running. Tuesday nights there is a beach barbeque at Hotel on the Cay (take the ferry from the fort in Christiansted). Looks like there are other beach barbeques at other hotels as well. Buck Island a must! We will be visiting St. Croix for the second time and my boyfriend wants to take 2 trips this visit!

Hey Islander,

Thanks for all the tips! I found it really interesting that the beach scene from Shawshank was filmed in St.Croix. I just watch the movie the other day and was wondering where that was. I never knew that. What makes it so neat is that the rest of the movie was filmed right here in my home town of Mansfield, Ohio. The old reformatory is where all the prison scenes were filmed, our downtown is where the scenes were shot when Brooks hung himself and where him and Morgan Freeman worked in the grocery store and the surrounding shots were filmed around the countryside here.

If you have anymore tips, I'd appreciate them!

Denise